Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

598. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused carers benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51140/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Carer’s Benefit is a payment for insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care.

To qualify, an applicant must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

On the 06 January 2025, the person concerned applied for Carer’s Benefit. Their claim was disallowed as they did not meet the employment and PRSI contribution requirements for this scheme.

They were informed of this decision on 23 January 2025 and also notified of their right to a review and their right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). They were also advised on their right to apply for Carer’s Allowance.

A review request was received on 31 January 2025 and a request for an appeal was received on 06 February 2025. The decision remained unchanged following this review, and the SWAO also notified the person concerned that their appeal was disallowed on 13 August 2025.

The decision of an Appeals Officer is in generally final and conclusive and can only be reviewed in light of new facts or evidence, or by reason of a mistake in relation to the law or facts.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.